Keeping the Mental in Experimental Aircraft - Must Watch BEFORE Buying a Kit or Flying Aircraft

can you say "caviat emptor"?

Not sure how to respond. I'm trying to find out the meaning of Experimental Aircraft. Your explanation was specific to kit build. I understand that, but I ordered a new, fully built Shark Aero. I was under the impression that it was going to be delivered as a LSA to be a MOSAIC type aircraft.. Now that Trump has signed an executive order affecting government rules, my salesman is saying it will be delivered as an experiment. So, I'm trying to figure out what that means before I respond to the salesman. Can you shed some light on how that would effect a factory build aircraft. Or can you point me in the right direction!? Thanks!

I just bought an Acro Sport kit that was flow 10 hour and damaged. Hung on a very competent builders wall for 34 years after he repaired it.
I start next week reasonably.

I drove 14 hours one way to turn around and go home. Gained some good wisdom though.

This is a great video. I’ve met you at Billy Payne’s just flying in, Son and Phone, Oshkosh. I’ve been a long time, subscriber and watch your videos..
With that being said, I have purchased a brand new on assembled glass air glass star from a widow, and we are currently have unboxed. It organized it and started building the wings. .
I’ve looked through all your videos and I haven’t seen you do an episode or a video on one of these just wondering your input and if you have any sources of one being built

I consider the FAA another three letter agency terrorizing the citizens.

In Canada, it is somewhat misunderstood that an owner can do any repairs on their “amateur built” aircraft. That applies unless it is a structural repair, in which case a Transport Canada representative must inspect and approve those repairs. The other thing that is not well known is that Canadian Advanced Ultralights must have a maintenance log and any mods must be approved by the manufacturer. If the manufacturer is no longer in business… you do the math.

Thank you
Mr Walstorm
I like your advice.
Hope you share more about your aircraft build.

Hi, can you tell me where to find used aircraft kits or projects.
Also may you know something about damaged aircrafts websites.
Thanks
Compliments from UK.

Bryan, you should have warned the uninitiated about the Jim Bedes, Peter Mullers, and Jeff Kerlos of the industry.

The dollars per hour these mechanics get paid is ridiculous we can by our own plane for that, I can already hear Harrison Ford saying who's going to fly it kid you? You bet I could I'm not scared of a home depot bolt my self.

Why did they ever build planes when the science of aeroelasticity (flutter analysis) didn't come around until decades later. They should have waited.

Too bad this guy wasn't around to advise the Wright Brothers.

I see this is an old post but I am responding all the same. About 30 years ago I was contemplating the building of an aircraft. I had attended Oshkosh a number of times trying to settle on which plane best suited me. My first real interest wasa fairly complex plans built plane. However, after serious consternation, I succumbed to a sense of intimidation as to the magnitude of such a project. After more searching I decided a kit with many of the elements being provided would better suit my skill level. I chose an AeroMirage TC-2. I placed a deposit on the kit and was placed in the production schedule. Unfortunately, not long after I committed to the kit the test pilot was taking an evening flight at their local airport. During the departure the engine suddenly quit. Rather than landing the plane straight ahead in any one of the available fields at his disposal, he decided to turn 180 ° to land on the runway. This decision was fatal for the pilot. Due to this occurrence the owner decided to stop selling the kit. He had isolated this endeavor from his other business ( high end boat manufacturing ). In the end I lost all my money and was left with only a bad taste in my mouth. After a time I decided I wanted to build a helicopter kit . Helicopters were always part of my long term goals. In the area of full functioning helicopter kits Rotoway was the main player. They had just announced a more advanced model the Elite. It was about $40,000 nearly twice what the Exec was but much more capable. I decided , finally, to commit to the project and was getting ready to send my deposit. The day I was going to yhe bank to get a cashiers check I, fortunately, saw an article announcing Rotoway was filing for bankruptcy. At least this time I had not given out any $. At this point I became very skittish about kits. The first choice intimidated me and the kit experiences I had were not encouraging. I decided that my original choice of building from plans , at worst , would only potentially cost the price of the plans, and any materials along the way. At least once I had a full set of plans the completion of an aircraft would only be dependent on me . I went ahead and bought the plans for a Zenair CH-701. A far less complex aircraft than my original choice more in keeping with my comfort zone. Things were moving along nicely . I had built all the wing ribs, and the spars. One day while at work, my house caught on fire and all was destroyed. After this, I gave up on the idea of building my own plane and redirected my creative desires in other areas. Now 30 years later my skills have greatly improved and the bad taste I had in my mouth for such a project has faded away. As a result, I looked into my original interest, a Dyke Delta JD-2. To my pleasure, I discovered plans are still available. I have contacted the designers daughter ( she handles all sales now as her father is well into his 90' s now and he does not handle the day to day concerns. I have another engagement beginning on the 28th of July . My route to that event takes me directly past Oshkosh. A number of builders plan to be there with their planes so I renewed my membership and plan on attending for a day to gain some insight. This is rather involved, and time consuming project . I feel my skill lever has risen to the level necessary to successfully complete such a project. Will I finish it ? If I do will I still even be able to fly it ? Only time will tell. All I know is I am going to try and that is all I can do. Thanks for all your efforts in keeping information available and inspiring the continuation of this wonderful sport

I feel that I’m pretty handy and I don’t have much money but a strong desire to get into the air. I just want to know what to would cost me to build a strong agile plane? Or buy used? And where should I start looking?

Anyone built a Zenith in the Indiana area?

Yes, it helped, Thx for sharing !

Excellent info vid Sir...I'm a retired A&P and really appreciate you helping folks out. Flying has always been a "first time up thrill" to me, and I hope more people will safely experience that.......thanks a million.

Excellent stuff bro

Thank you for making this VERY important video. Much appreciated.

Being around Aviation Since only 1970, I've met many diffrent People and many of these Aviation Enthusiast Really lack many of the SKILLS needed to AVIATE Much less BUILD Anything but still attempt it. Then again there are Those much more Qualified too. Those I don't Worry abouut.

Built up spars by seller be portant. Watch out if the plans have different models it can mix you up. You want good dimensional prints. Compare
Legle Eagle an RagWing to Simplex aircraft prints , huge difference like day an night.

Great video and informative. I'm wanting to change gears from tournament bass fishing to flying. Lol just a bucket list many of us have.

Im building 3 Smyth Sidewinders..

I just came up with some ideas while watching this . Imagine someone has an idea on something new and your business is making that idea possible. Bringing it to life safely and efficiently. Thanks man.

Excellent video! Thanks so much. I am saving money to build my own plane. Thanks again!

This was excellent thank you for sharing this.

Great video!
You are far too kind. Most of my 38-39yrs of aviation has been as a renter. I recently sold my certified aircraft and entered the world of EA (RV-10 slow building).
It's been my experience that the aviation community is a snapshot of society. Whatever type of scum is in society will be in aviation. Buyer beware on buying a kit from someone.
I'm so anal about my build that each rivet almost gets a name...lol...
Like you said me and my family will be in it when completed. I personally would never buy a worked on unfinished kit. A built is also iffy. Of course this is just my opinion. Lots of people have had no issues with the purchases.

Beware of kit mfg withholding drawings and plans for parts of the aircraft. It's an experimental aircraft, the WHOLE thing is supposed to be "within the scope of the home builder" There is no reason for them to withhold any drawings or plans for any part of the aircraft, watch out for it.

What does AWS certification of applicable welding processes actually mean? It's been recognized for over 100 years that you can't judge the integrity of a weld by looking at the surface. AWS certification means the welder is subjected to a periodic practical standards test where their test piece is subjected to DESTRUCTIVE testing among others. people fuss over every rivet, but for some strange reason they don't think welding matters

I’m thinking of buying a Rans S12 from the second owner. I asked him if he had the maintenance logs for this plane. he does not have the logs from the previous owner. Nor does he have a copy of the airworthiness certificate. I’m thinking that this is a major issue and should walk away.

What would you do?

U don’t really prefer the kit fox? Or do you?:-) as buildable kits ??

Love your show!!!

Thank you for good advice 😂

Uhh, I went to Oshkosh in 1980 and the grand champion was a scratch built Mustang ll! I. Think it was Larry Kinder! It still flying and beautiful. My dream plane! Design in the early sixties and out runs any RV!

Great advice, thanks! The kits that I really like are Velocity, BD-4C, RV-10 and plans build Cozy Mk IV, but Velocity and RV-10 are probably going to be too much. So I'm torn between the plans-build Cozy, which is very sexy, but might be difficult for entry and exit; and the BD-4, because I like high-wings. The BD-4 would end up being about $25k more than a Cozy, but much shorter build time. If it's raining when I'm getting in or out of a Cozy, then I'm getting wet and rain will come inside as soon as I raise the canopy, but with a BD-4 I'd be under the wing and have time to put up and umbrella without rain getting inside the plane.

Scratch built model B BearHawk wings. Including fuel tanks/ controls / flaps & ailerons = 2100hrs

A friend purchased a “almost complete” experimental while attending school to become an aircraft mechanic. He eventually realized that the aircraft was not only poorly built, it was scrap.

Excellent point regarding the build instructions! This becomes a maintenance manual of sorts during the life of the aircraft. The drawings become a repair guide (be sure to check that every page is there). Manufactures of kits are not interested in replacing your lost paper work, nor should they be.

Thank you so much for the insight as to what I need to do as a first time flyer. I have found the type as well as the upgrades I'm looking for in an Hilo that will suit my needs. But yet to purchase one face to face. The info you have shared will go a long way when I take the plunge. Great channel. Do keep it up. Troy

super insightful - many many thanks - a must watch !

Thanks for your thoughts and comments. Excellent video.

Gret advise and information. Thanks for this one

This is why a build center would be so helpful. Great video and advice.

I've flown for years both in the military and civilian world. Safety is PARAMOUNT! I have seen more than my fair share of incidents. The FAA has regulations and requirements for a reason. I'd rather have you on this planet than rushing through a kit and killing yourself. I watch a man crash his ultra light right in front of the local hospital and died on impact. I've also watched two extremely well trained pilots disintegrate their AH-64 due to complacency (They both survived). The one thing the military drilled in my head was USE THE CHECKLIST. From planning your flight to post flight, it's all critical in my opinion. Please have fun but please be safe!! This planet is better off with you on it.

Thx for your channel its awesome and loads of info sorry I didn’t give you kudos for your super videos! With so much info 🙏 thanks with out people like you we would be finding out the hard way. !!!👍👍👍👍👍😎😎😎✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️✈️

The word experimental scares some people and makes them reluctant to put their butt in one for a flight.
There are well proven aircraft such as the Vans, Glasairs, Glastars, Lancairs, Kitfox, Rans etc that are well past the experimental stage and the word recreational would be more appropriate for such aircraft.

Thank you for making content like this I am currently looking to buy an experimental Airplane kit information like this is priceless

You smelling the tires… That was a good one. I like what you emphasize in this video, I am experiencing some interesting things taking up a sonex build part way thru, but we are getting there!

Cooling yes yes yes, including how that particualr aircraft will be flown. At what altitudes? and what inviroments?